Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have been trying to be very upbeat about Spencer. But I think maybe I'm being overly optimistic. 3.5 weeks ago we realized he had a large mass on his front left shoulder, they did a biopsy and found it to be a level 3 fibrosarcoma. 2.5 weeks ago he had the leg and scapula amputated. his lung x-rays have been clear. They took 2 lymph nodes and both were clear. (He is a 4.5 year old doberman.)
The tumor had some sort of membrane around it and that was all intact, so they are sure that they got all of the tumor (it was the size of a jumbo egg).
I have an appointment on Thursday to talk to the oncologist about chemo; but it looks like the recommendation is going to be 15 weekly treatments with 3 drugs (vincristine, adriamycin, cytoxan). He has been consulting with our family vet and this is his initial recommendation.
Based on the clean lungs, clean lymph nodes, and the assumption that we got all of the tumor... I have been hoping that Spencer might be over this cancer stuff. And I was hoping that if we do the chemo that it can help do more to get him back to his normal life expectancy. But is that expecting too much? Is a few years really what we should be looking at for best case? I am just starting to think that I might need a real dose of reality...
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
I think it is better to hope than to fear. Dog's feed off of their people's energy. Spencer will surely gain from your hope and positivity.
I will share with you what I learned from Bo... Make each day count. As humans we tend to think in the long term or with the future in mind. Dogs don't. And truth be told, tomorrow is not promised for anyone. You have Spencer today...hold him, love him, talk to him-make it count.
Every pup has a different story and judging from spencer's resiliency and is family's determination, he may just be one of the lucky ones. We're rooting for him!!
tomorrow is not promised for anyone.
Beautifully said Meghan.
You can't give up hope.
I lost one to cancer at 8 years old. I never knew he had cancer becuase he never acted sick. Not even 3 minutes before he collapsed. He had a cancerous tumor on his heart that burst. He was gone within 2 hours.
I lost Comet to possible cancer with no symptoms either. Again, I never knew. She was approx. 12 1/2 years. She had a great day and that evening, she too sort of collapsed. She was bleeding internally. It was most likely her spleen.
You never know what cancer may do but if you don't keep hoping, loving and laughing and living, then the alternative is fear and dread.
The fear of the unknown will rob you. Don't let fear rob you.
Lots of warm wishes to Spencer!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I personally believe in the power of postive thinking. I am of the absolute belief that my boy is going to beat this. I pray daily, and when I do I always ask that he remains cancer free for the rest of his long life, years to come.
They say that many doctors also have witnessed people recovering from uncurable diseases and they can only attribute that to their belief system.
So, in for a penny, in for a pound! Believe with all your heart 🙂
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Boy, these two hit the nail on the head!
I will just say that for me, I don't live with hope or with fear. I live with Tate.
You don't get over this cancer stuff. You learn to live with it, and you do that by following the excellent advice given above. It's not easy to make that shift in perspective and that's why we're here.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Try not to think of the "what if" scenarios. Like the others have said, enjoy every single second with Spencer. Unfortunantly, for most of us, Cancer takes no prisoners. I believe the best thing for Brandy is how positive we have stayed for her. We have never shown our sadness around her and we never discuss her health issues when she is in the room. (Oddly, she seems to listen to what we are saying)We make even eating dinner an awesome experience for her. We never looked back. Love him, hug him and enjoy him!
Brandy and family
Its' quality of time & life you spend with your pup, not quantity that will matter. Lets hope you have a good long life together, but in the end, all you can do is your best for Spencer...
For myself, I held onto hope until Chili crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Enjoy every single minute you get with your Spencer. Live in the moment. Drink it up, because one day it will be gone and you will be left wanting more. I learned alot from the Chili Dawg, and he lived in the moment, and he smiled... A LOT, so do that part, too 
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
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